I am amazed that, given the "reluctance" to endorse the constitutional amendment, the Press-Register really had no problem doing it ("A Reluctant ‘Yes,’" Aug. 26 editorial).

For instance you put out some facts and even did a bit of chastisement of the legislators for not taking the time to come up with a workable budget, but then you dropped the ball and encouraged us to hold our noses and vote for it, as otherwise a special session would be called for and time is of the essence. Besides, who wants all of those prisoners running up and down the roads and old women and young children hacking away in our personal space?

The scare tactics are so retro but infuriating.

Never mind that the legislators are taking money out of the principal of the Alabama Trust Fund with no real plans to pay it back.

Never mind that Gov. Robert Bentley believes things will be so much better in three years that we won’t need to raid the trust fund anymore after that.

Never mind that we have not even begun to pay back the maximum amounts they have already borrowed from both educational and general "rainy day" funds.

Never mind that Ohio and Wisconsin and New Jersey got their billion-dollar deficits to surplus levels without raiding Peter to pay Paul, so why should Alabama be different?

I would much rather see the Press-Register let us decide whether we should vote "yes" or "no." Is it really necessary for you to endorse anything if it is reluctant? Or even endorse at all?

The mandatory evacuation for Zones 1 and 2 ordered by Gov. Robert Bentley was issued with no hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. This establishes a precedent where the state can shut down businesses based on the forecasts of weathermen.

Think of the chaos inflicted on families with children and on single parents, who were forced to make plans to take care of their children who were not in school on a day that it did not rain in our area.

Think of the revenue lost from businesses in our area that were forced to shut down. I am sure the 300 employees of the Grand Hotel would have rather been working than watching the sunny, breezy afternoon.

The editorial stated that public officials must shoulder the responsibility for keeping citizens safe. Actually, it is up to each individual to bear responsibility for his or her safety.

This was a terrible mistake by Gov. Bentley and he should apologize to the citizens of Mobile and Baldwin counties for insinuating that we do not know how to keep ourselves safe.

I know my neighbors, and none of us needs someone from Montgomery to tell us when to come in out of the rain. ¶